Belgium: Summary

Updated: 05.12.2017

Author: Silke Mooldijk

Support schemes

In Belgium, electricity from renewable sources is promoted mainly through a quota system based on the trade of certificates. In general, renewable energy is devolved competence; only offshore wind power and hydropower are governed by national regulations. The federal grid operator shall meet public obligations, which include the purchase of green certificates at a minimum price set by law for certain renewable electricity generation technologies. As described below, every region (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels Capital) has its own standards of support for renewable energy, based on a national framework. Electricity suppliers are obliged to present green certificates to prove that a certain proportion (quota) of the electricity supplied to their final consumers in Belgium was generated from renewable sources. This quota may differ according to the region.

Please note: as in Belgium the competences are distributed between the national and the regional authorities, the information on Belgium presented on this website comprises both national support schemes and regional schemes in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels Capital. Therefore, the information on national support schemes needs to be read in light of the regional schemes and vice versa.

Brussels

In the Brussels-Capital region, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as investment assistance for companies and net-metering.

Since February 2016, a decree regulating the promotion of green electricity (Arrêté du 17 décembre 2015) has been in force. This decree provides a new legal framework for renewable energies and allows the region to reach its energy goals by 2020. In fact, the Brussels-Capital region has committed to reaching 0.073 Mtoe (almost 850 GWh) of renewable energy in final energy consumption by 2020. This objective shall be fulfilled largely through to the regional development of solar energy and biomass.

Flanders

Flanders supports electricity from renewable energy sources by means of a quota system, an ecological premium and a net-metering scheme.

Wallonia

In the Walloon region, the generation of electricity through renewable energy plants is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as investment assistance for companies or for public bodies and net-metering.

Grid issues

In Belgium, access to electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the general legislation on energy. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. The grid users are not entitled to the expansion of the grid.Brussels

In Belgium, the three regions are competent for the distribution as well as for the local transmission of electricity via grids with a nominal output of maximum 70kV. This corresponds to low (up to 30 kV) and middle (30 to 70 kV) voltage.

In the Brussels-Capital region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is regulated by the Brussels-Capital distribution grid code and by the regional electricity market ordinance. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid.

Flanders

In Flanders, access to electricity from renewable energy sources to the grid is regulated by the basic legislation on energy market and technical regulations by the Flemish Electricity and Gas Regulator (VREG). Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. Distribution grid operators are obliged to finance grid expansion. Wallonia

In Belgium, the three regions are competent for the distribution as well as for the local transmission of electricity via grids with a nominal output of maximum 70kV. This corresponds to low (up to 30 kV) and middle (30 to 70 kV) voltage.

In the Walloon region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is regulated by the Walloon grid code and by the regional electricity market decree. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid.

Policies

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations on the federal level in Belgium: There are training programmes for RES-installers, a certification scheme for heat pumps installations as well as an indirect fiscal mechanism for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programmes. Moreover, the exemplary role of public authorities is ensured through a public energy service company in charge of achieving and financing energy saving projects in public federal buildings.

Brussels

According to the National Renewable Energy Action Plan for Belgium, the Brussels-Capital region has committed itself to reaching 30% of green energy in the total energy consumption of new public buildings. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations, no research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes and no building obligations for the use of renewable heating provided in the Brussels-Capital region.

Flanders

A number of policies are in place as of 2017, focusing on, amongst others, the certification of installers, RD&D and energy-efficient governmental buildings.Wallonia

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations: A training programme as well as a quality label for RES-installers, two different research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes and a building obligation for the use of renewable heating. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations provided in the Walloon region.

Ministre du Gouvernement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, chargée du Logement, de la Qualité de Vie, de l’Environnement et de l'Energie - Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital region, responsible for Housing, Quality of Life, Environm